Word of the Day - transistor

transistor

/tranˈzɪstə/ /trɑːnˈzɪstə/ /tranˈsɪstə/
noun
1 A semiconductor device with three connections, capable of amplification in addition to rectification.
1.1 A portable radio using circuits containing transistors rather than valves.

Origin
1940s from transconductance, on the pattern of words such as varistor.

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Transistors were a major breakthrough in electronics. They replaced vacuum tubes which needed high voltages and gave off a LOT of heat. They also were much smaller so that portable electronics could go into a pocket instead of having to sit on a table or even being built into huge furniture
cabinets.